Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 166, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 July 1919 — MET ROOSEVELT IN THE MUD [ARTICLE]

MET ROOSEVELT IN THE MUD

At the White House Pershing Re* minded Former Rovijh Rider of Their Cuban R/icdunter. On November 24, 1903, William Loeb, Jr., secretary to President Roosevelt, wrote the secretary war: "The president would like to know when Captain Pershing is coining to Washington." (Pershing had just returned from the Moro campaign.) The answer was returned: “Captain Pershing is now in Washington and has an'office in the war department." The captain was invited to take luncheon at the White House. "Captain Pershing,” said the president, when the party was seated at table, “did I meet you in the Santiago campaign?" "Yes, Mr. President,-just once." "When was that? What did I say?” “Since there are ladies here, I can’t repeat just what you said, Mr. President.” ' There was a general laugh, in which Roosevelt joined. “Tell me the circumstances, then.” “Why, I had gone back with a mule team to Siboney, to get supplies for the men. The night was pitch black and it was raining torrents. The road was a streak of mud. On the way back to the front, I heard noise and confusion ahead. I knew it was a mired mule team. An officer in the uniform of a Rough Rider was trying to get the mules out of the mud, and his remarks, as I said a moment ago, should not be quoted before ladies. I suggested that the best thing to do was to take my-mules and pull your wagon out, and then your mules got out. This was done and we saluted and parted.’ “Well,” said Roosevelt, “if there ever was a time when a man would he justified in using bad language, it would be in the middle of a rainy night, with his mules down in the mud and his wagon loaded with things soldiers at„the front needed.” —George Mac Adam, in World’s Work.